Thomas P. Murphy, 84, of Columbia passed away Friday, April 19, 2013, at his home at Lenoir Woods.

Tom was born on Sept. 7, 1928, in Shelton, Conn., to Thomas and Beatrice Murphy. He served in the U.S. Army and raced stock cars under the name Mike Ward during the early 1950s. After marrying Kathryn Brust in 1950, he worked in the engineering department of the Southern New England Telephone Co. for over 45 years before retiring to Columbia. Tom was active in community affairs including the Columbia Bicycle Commission, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Columbia United Church of Christ, as a volunteer at Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital and at Lenoir Woods.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Columbia United Church of Christ. Visitation was from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Columbia Cemetery.

Survivors include his daughter, Betsy Murphy of Columbia and her husband, Chris Backes.